I (the editor) am on a plane early tomorrow for San Francisco, so that we can bring you live coverage of the Mountain Bike World Cup this weekend. I will begin reporting from Napa tomorrow late afternoon (Eastern time), with rider feedback regarding the circuit, weather conditions, gossip, etc. Saturday, we will be providing live reporting throughout the women's race (4:00 pm start Eastern), with photos and quotes after the race. Sunday will be the same for the men.

Paris-Roubaix Challenge

This Sunday, March 28, there will be the twelfth running of Toronto's Paris-Roubaix Challenge. Start is at the Toronto Zoo main parking lot, Meadowvale Road, north of Hwy 401, at 9am. Registration starts at 8am and should be completed by 8.30. The route is North, via the worst roads and tracks that can be found, to Sutton on Lake Simcoe.

Distance is 66 very hard kilometres. 45% of the route is paved, 33% is on gravel roads and the remainder is on abominable track. This week's weather should make the course quite fast. Make sure you carry a spare tube and pump. Entry is open to anyone. Entry fee is $10.00. All entry money will be distributed as prizes at the finish. First to finish will be presented with the Challenge Trophy. Prize presentation and social gathering will be held immediately after the event at the Mansion House Pub in Sutton.

This year the event is supported by McAuslans Brewery so there will be plenty of excellent beer. Please note that riders should organise their own way back to the Zoo. It is about 50km on reasonable roads so it is not too far to ride. Call Mike Barry at Bicycle Specialties (416 - 423 - 0456) for any other details.

B.C. Stage Race Cancelled

We just received confirmation that the UCI sanctioned mountain bike stage race scheduled to take place in British Columbia on June 24th to 27th has been cancelled. The problem is lack of sponsorship.

In related B.C. news, the CCSD (Commonwealth Centre for Sports Development) is changing their name to PacificSport Institute. The CCSD/PSI is home to one of Canada's National Cycling Training Centres.